The Sri Lanka Cricket Board announced a 22-man squad, on Thursday for the upcoming tour of South Africa, starting on December 26. Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the South Africa tour due to a hamstring injury but is expected to feature in the home series against England, starting from January 14.
The former national captain had pulled his hamstring during the Lanka Premier League’s (LPL) first semi-final match between the Colombo Kings and Galle Gladiators.
Meanwhile, Kusal Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, and Dasun Shanaka have earned a recall to the national team.
Sri Lanka will travel to the rainbow nation for a two-match Test series, starting with the Boxing Day Test, post which they will take on the visiting English team at home in another series of two Test matches.
Notably, South Africa had already announced their squad for the Sri Lanka series last week and limited-overs captain Quinton de Kock was named skipper of the side in Kagiso Rabada’s absence.
According to the statement released by the SLC board:
the “squad was approved by the Minister of Youth and Sports Honorable Namal Rajapaksa”.
Sri Lanka tour of South Africa
- 1st Test: December 26-30, Centurion
- 2nd Test: January 3-7, Johannesburg
England in Sri Lanka
- 1st Test: January 14-18, Galle
- 2nd Test: January 22-26, Galle
Sri Lanka Squad For South Africa & England Series:
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernandom Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Santhush Gunatilake, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
South Africa Squad For Sri Lanka Series:
Quinton de Kock (c,wk), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne